UConn sophomore Coombs making progress, staying patient

After a blood clot, she is still waiting for a fresh start

Jan 18, 2018; Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks with guard Mikayla Coombs (4) from the sideline as they take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the first half at Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports (David Butler II)

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- Mikayla Coombs' freshman season with the University of Connecticut women's basketball team ended prematurely with the discovery of a blood clot in her leg in the week leading up to the Huskies' first NCAA tournament game.

Three months later, she is still waiting for a fresh start. She has been cleared for most activities but not for any contact.

"I feel good, still in the recovery process trying to get healthy," Coombs said on Monday. "I've been training with the team so that's been good. I'm able to do weight-room workouts and basketball workouts, just nothing like defensive drills where there is contact.

"It hit me hard when it first happened because for the first two months I couldn't do much. That's the problem with blood clots. I was able to go home for a little while last month and started training harder. I knew when I got back here for the summer session we would take it up another notch. This summer has helped us prepare. I think everyone feels they're in good shape."

Coombs is hopeful she'll have no restrictions soon, though she said that depends on her progress and the medication that she's taking.

The 5-foot-8 guard from Buford, Georgia, is ready to show the Huskies' coaching staff what she can add.

"I'm extremely impatient," Coombs said. "It's hard having an injury where there's no telling the recovery process -- you don't know if it's going to go away right away or not. I've learned patience within myself. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe that I had to learn patience is why this happened."

Coombs has been down the injury road before. She missed her sophomore season at Wesleyan School after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in the first quarter of the first game. In her senior year, she was a McDonald's All-American and led the Wolves to a state championship.

Her freshman year at UConn was trying. She had 28 points, 21 rebounds, 12 assists, and 17 steals in 168 minutes over 25 games. Every time she took a step up and was given the opportunity to work with the Huskies' top guns, she seemed to take two steps back. Her final appearance was against Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals.

"It was intense just trying to learn the way we do things here," Coombs said. "The UConn way was something to adjust to. Finding my way was eye-opening.

"Coming back here from my time at home I just felt different. I feel more comfortable."

With three of their top six players from last season -- including starting guard Kia Nurse -- now WNBA rookies, coach Geno Auriemma is looking to fill those holes and there is opportunity to make an impact.

"To be honest, Coach is working hard and been laying it out there for the team," Coombs said. "I've been focusing on the little things that I can do and fine tuning those things. I could have done a lot more defensively last year but I didn't mentally put myself up to that challenge. I'll be focusing on that. I'm working on getting to the basket more, not necessarily to score but just draw the defense and dish off.

"I was just overwhelmed my freshman year. Being relaxed will help me a lot. When you come here as a freshman you don't know what to expect. Now I have a year under my belt and I know what to expect, I know what I have to do."

TALKING TITLES

Breanna Stewart never guaranteed it, though the former UConn standout often spoke of wanting to win four national championships. UConn freshman Christyn Williams, who like Stewart six years earlier swept high school Player of the Year honors, spoke out Monday about her expectations for her rookie year.

The Huskies have lost twice in their last 149 games -- both in overtime, both in the NCAA Final Four semifinals. Williams, who signed with the Huskies last November, took the 91-89 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame on March 31 hard.

"I was committed when they lost so I'm a part of the family," Williams said. "I was hurt. It was devastating. But we're going to get it back. Mark my words, guys, we're going to get it back.

"We're going to get that championship. People are going to feel UConn. We're going to win the national championship."

Of course, what is the 5-foot-11 guard from Little Rock, Arkansas, supposed to say: We're hoping to get to the Sweet 16 and finish in the top three in the conference?

The Huskies return three starters from last season's 36-1 club. The additions are Williams and fellow high school All-American and Team USA U-18 member Olivia Nelson-Ododa.

"The coaches have instilled in us that work ethic and that fire that we have to," Williams said. "This is what UConn does. We win. So to lose two years in a row is not good. So we've been working so hard this summer, and the season doesn't even start until October. I just feel it. I sense it. We are going to get it."

Reigning national champion Notre Dame figures to be No. 1 in the preseason polls this fall as the Irish return four starters and welcome back All-American Brianna Turner from injury. UConn and Notre Dame will play Dec. 2 in South Bend.

"I might pretend like I'm from Chicago and I might vote early and often and make sure we are not No. 1," Auriemma said with a smile. "I can't imagine we'll be No. 1, and we shouldn't be. Notre Dame should be No. 1 and maybe their second team should be No. 2. I don't know.

"But it's been proven over and over and over again over the years that it doesn't matter. Certainly to us, one, two, three, 15, it doesn't matter. Some teams can't handle being No. 1, and some teams it doesn't bother. We'll be alright. I like it."

And Williams has liked what she's seen in her first few weeks on campus.

"I believe in the program," Williams said. "I believe in my teammates. I believe in myself, and I believe in the coaches. It's there. We just have to get it."

SCHEDULING MATTERS

UConn's 14-game non-league schedule for 2018-19 was released last week. Auriemma was asked if he was happy with it.

"No," he replied. "Last year I was because we had a really experienced team. This year the schedule is harder and the team isn't as experienced. And the road schedule is brutal. I'm not jumping up and down about it. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad we have it. But it's not like, 'Yeah, man, I can't wait.' This is going to be tough."

UConn will play four home games, four neutral sites games including one at Mohegan Sun Arena, and six on the road including games at Notre Dame, Louisville, and Baylor.

"The way the schedule fell, sometimes you get caught in those situations," Auriemma said. "We pushed a couple games back that we couldn't fit in to get in another home game. When you try to fix something at the beginning, you have to pay for it on the back end."

According to Oregon coach Kelly Graves, the Ducks and UConn are talking about putting together a nationally-televised home-and-home series perhaps for 2019-20. Among the deals UConn already has in place for 2019-20 are with Dayton, DePaul, Louisville, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio State, South Carolina, Seton Hall, and Vanderbilt.

The game at Vanderbilt will be a homecoming for guard Crystal Dangerfield, a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

"It's pretty cool that Coach would do that, and I have a couple of friends on their team, too," Dangerfield said. "Playing them will feel like we're back in high school again. My family and friends always complain that they can't come see me play because we're so far away. Going back there, they'll be able to see how I've grown."

The contest will also be a homecoming for first-year assistant coach Jasmine Lister, who started all 129 games she played for the Commodores (2010-14).

'DEAN' OF COACHES

Thirty years ago, the running joke was that Michael Jordan's college coach at North Carolina, Dean Smith, was the only one who could keep him under 20 points per game.

Well, Stewart -- in her third season with the Seattle Storm -- leads the WNBA in scoring at 21.9 points per game. Her best scoring average at UConn was during her sophomore year at 19.43.

"The older pros love to tell me, 'Now that she isn't shackled by being in college, now that her coach isn't holding her back, the sky is the limit for her," Auriemma said. "That's why she has all that energy. She only played 20 minutes per game in college. We didn't wear her out."

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Geno Auriemma: 'Unfair' to define UConn seniors by number of national titles

Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier look to add second ring to resume

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 19 | 7:18PM

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Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Katie Lou Samuelson and forward Napheesa Collier react after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at XL Center (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

STORRS -- Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson had a perfect start to their college career, literally. As freshmen, the Huskies went undefeated and won the program's 11th national championship.

Since then, the two classmates have done plenty of winning -- eight conference titles, helping build a 111-game win streak and reaching three straight Final Fours -- but they're missing one thing: a second national championship.

Fair or not, careers are judged at UConn by how many rings a player wins.

UConn selected as No. 2 seed for first time in 13 years

Mar 18 | 4:57PM

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma talks to SNY's Justine Ward about his team getting a "rare" # 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Nearly four hours before the scheduled women's NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on ESPN, the network accidentally leaked the entire bracket on Monday during the 3 p.m. Eastern hour on ESPNU.

ESPN acknowledged its error in a statement.

"In working with the NCAA to prepare for tonight's Women's Selection Special we received the bracket, similar to years past. In the midst of our preparation, the bracket was mistakenly posted on ESPNU," it said in the statement. "We deeply regret the error and extend our apology to the NCAA and the women's basketball community. We will conduct a thorough review of our process to ensure it doesn't happen in the future. We will now broadcast the full bracket at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and the regularly-scheduled show on ESPN at 7 p.m."

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) UConn's success in March continued in the opening round of the American Athletic Conference tournament thanks to accurate first-half shooting that spread into the early stages of the second.

The shooting that hovered above 63 percent with eight minutes left in the game, provided enough of a buffer for UConn to withstand a late run by South Florida, allowing the Huskies to hold on for an 80-73 victory on Thursday.

"(The Huskies) run and their transition offense really put us in a bind," USF coach Brian Gregory said. "We were on our heels in transition." >> Read More

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UConn tops UCF 66-45 to win sixth straight AAC title

Collier scores 25 points, tallies 14 boards

Mar 11 | 11:15PM

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UCONN wins AAC Tournament00:00:48

The Huskies are just warming up. They easily won the AAC tournament and improved their all-time record to 120-0 in conference play.

No. 2 UConn was forced to play the American Athletic Conference Tournament without injured All-American Katie Lou Samuelson and may have become a more complete team as a result.

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) After missing seven games with a sprained ligament in his knee, Connecticut senior guard Jalen Adams was adamant about playing Sunday.

He told coach Danny Hurley that he wanted to wear the UConn jersey again, then took the Huskies' offense to a higher level in an 82-73 defeat of East Carolina at Minges Coliseum. Adams tied his career high with 12 assists and scored 13 points in the regular-season finale for both teams. Teammates Josh Carlton (20 points), Tyler Polley (19 points) and Christian Vital (16 points) all benefited from having Adams back in the lineup as the Huskies (15-16, 6-12 American Athletic Conference) won on an opponent's home floor for the first time this season.

"Being at one school for four years, it's only right you get to put on the jersey to close out the end of the season," Adams said. "It just meant a lot to be out there with my brothers. It's probably my last time to be playing on a team where everyone genuinely cares for me and loves me. After this, it's probably going to be just business."

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UConn reaches AAC championship game with 81-45 win over USF

Collier, Walker combine for 47 points

Mar 10 | 6:16PM

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UConn routs South Florida00:01:28

UConn defeated South Florida 81-45 in the AAC semifinal game. The Huskies were lead by Collier and her strong shooting from beyond the arc.

Megan Walker scored 24 points and Napheesa Collier added 23 to lead No. 2 UConn to an 81-45 rout of South Florida on Sunday and move Huskies into their sixth straight American Athletic Conference championship game.

Crystal Dangerfield added 11 points and Christyn Williams chipped in 10 for Connecticut (30-2), which has never lost to an AAC opponent and has won 30 games for a 14th consecutive season.

UConn (29-2) beat the Pirates last month in Hartford by 63 points, a game in which Samuelson scored 31. She hurt her back in a game last week and the Huskies say she won't be back before the NCAA Tournament.

Minus Samuelson, UConn led just 24-22 after a quarter and 46-39 at halftime. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who started in Samuelson's place, finished with 17 rebounds and five blocks.

Alterique Gilbert's injury woes continue as UConn announced the redshirt sophomore point guard is dealing with a concussion and eye injury.

In Thursday's 78-71 loss to Temple, Gilbert left the game after colliding with a Temple player and stayed overnight at Hartford Hospital.

According to the school, Gilbert will not participate in basketball activities for "an indefinite period of time."

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UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson out for AAC Tournament with back injury

The Huskies' offense struggled without Samuelson last time out

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 8 | 5:46PM

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Katie Lou Samuelson gets injured00:01:29

On Senior Day, Katie Lou Samuelson had to leave the first half against UConn after diving for a loose ball with an apparent back injury.

UConn women's basketball ruled senior Katie Lou Samuelson out for the AAC Tournament this weekend due to a back injury suffered last Saturday against Houston. The injury happened when Samuelson dove for a loose ball and collided with an opposing player. She tried to return in the second half, but quickly checked out.

In the Huskies' one game without Samuelson against USF, the offense struggled to get going for the first 30 minutes. UConn scored a season-low 25 points in the first half and needed a late push in the fourth quarter to get the win over the Bulls.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa got the start in Samuelson's place last game, and is a good bet to start in the tournament. Kyla Irwin also started two games back in December when Megan Walker missed a pair of contests with strep throat, but hasn't played much recently. Both would be options if head coach Geno Auriemma wants to replace Samuelson with another big, but if he decides to go small, Molly Bent or Mikayla Coombs could see their first career start.

Mar 4 | 9:26PM

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UConn finishes regular season00:00:35

The Huskies played their regular season finale against USF without senior Katie Lou Samuelson, it was a good test before the tournament.

Christyn Williams scored eight of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and second-ranked UConn finished the game on a 9-0 run to pull away to a 57-47 regular season-ending victory over South Florida on Monday night.

The Huskies (28-2, 16-0), playing without injured star Katie Lou Samuelson, completed another perfect run through the American Athletic Conference, improving to 102-0 during the regular season against league opponents since the AAC was formed six seasons ago.

Samuelson did not play after hurting her back during last Saturday's 83-61 home victory over Houston. She accompanied the team to Florida, however the Huskies announced a little over an hour before the game that the two-time All-American would not be available.

STORRS -- In the second half of the UConn women's basketball's game on Saturday against Houston, senior Katie Lou Samuelson went diving for a loose ball and collided with a opposing player. Samuelson immediately rolled over in pain and stayed down on the court as Gampel Pavilion went dead silent.

She eventually walked off the court under her own power before heading into the locker room with team trainer Janelle Francisco.

"I don't know exactly what happened," Samuelson said on the play that caused the injury. "I just got hit where my muscle just spasmed and tightened up right after."

Fellow senior Katie Lou Samuelson scored 11 points for UConn (27-2, 15-0 American) before injuring her back diving for a loose ball in the second quarter. She returned to start the second half but struggled to run and was pulled after the first minute.

Jasmyne Harris, Octavia Barnes and Dorian Branch each had 14 points for Houston (15-13, 9-6), which opened a 17-7 lead and led by a point after the first quarter.

WATCH: Kobe Bryant's high praise for UConn women's hoops program

SNY caught up with Bryant Saturday during UConn's victory

Mar 2 | 4:02PM

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Kobe has high praise for UConn00:02:23

Kobe Bryant and his daughter are fans of UConn. He talks UConn's success, being beat 1-on-1 by his daughter, and what he's been up to.

Kobe Bryant and his 12-year-old daughter Gianna are both big fans of UConn's women's basketball program. Gianna has been especially fond of the team and hopes to play for the Huskies eventually, and it's the people involved that have drawn her to the program.

"I think the players, first and foremost. The camaraderie that they have with each other is something she kind of gravitated to," Kobe told SNY's Justine Ward at Saturday's game in Storrs. "And then Geno (Auriemma) and (Chris Dailey) and their leadership and the culture of the program, all the way on down to Rebecca (Lobo) and Diana (Taurasi) and Sue (Bird), so she loves the program."

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WATCH: Kobe Bryant's daughter says she can beat him 1-on-1

SNY spoke with Bryant Saturday during UConn game

Mar 2 | 3:33PM

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Kobe has high praise for UConn00:02:23

Kobe Bryant and his daughter are fans of UConn. He talks UConn's success, being beat 1-on-1 by his daughter, and what he's been up to.

Kobe Bryant's daughter Gianna has her dad's trademark confidence.

During an interview with SNY Saturday afternoon at UConn's victory over Houston, the question was posed to Kobe if her 12-year-old daughter, whom he has been teaching basketball to, if she could beat him one-on-one.

He turned to his daughter to ask the same question.

"Yeah," she said smiling. Bryant told Reggie Miller in a video captured in October that Gianna is "hellbent" on going to UConn.

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UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson leaves Senior Day with back spasms

Samuelson returned briefly in third quarter

Mar 2 | 2:29PM

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Katie Lou Samuelson gets injured00:01:29

On Senior Day, Katie Lou Samuelson had to leave the first half against UConn after diving for a loose ball with an apparent back injury.

Katie Lou Samuelson was being honored on Saturday as part of UConn's Senior Day, but the guard suffered a scare late in the first half.

Samuelson went down in pain, grabbing her back and had to leave the game.

UConn seniors Napheesa Collier, Katie Lou Samuelson a special duo

Collier, Lou Samuelson to be honored Saturday at Senior Day

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 2 | 9:12AM

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UConn celebrates senior day00:02:32

Senior duo Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier are obviously successful on the court, but their lasting impact on UConn is much more.

STORRS -- When looking back on the careers of UConn seniors Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson, it'll be hard to separate one from the other. They both came to Storrs as freshmen in 2015 and were solid role players on the Huskies' 2016 national title team.

The next season, they won co-AAC Player of the Year and were both named First Team All-Americans.

Not only are Collier and Samuelson the only two classmates to eclipse the 2,000 point mark in program history, they're also the highest-scoring classmates.

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Geno Auriemma returns after missing two games with illness

Auriemma missed road wins over Tulsa and Wichita State

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 2 | 1:06AM

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Mar 24, 2018; Albany , NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the semifinals of the Albany regional of the women's basketball 2018 NCAA Tournament at the Times Union Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports (Rich Barnes)

STORRS -- After missing both of UConn's games last week due to an illness, Geno Auriemma was back at practice ahead of the Huskies' final home game against Houston on Saturday.

In his absence, associate head coach Chris Dailey took command of the team and improved her record as a head coach to 9-0. While Auriemma watched from his couch at home, he enjoyed getting to see the game from a different perspective.

"It's really a weird dynamic when you're watching on television because you're watching the game differently," he said. "You're not worried about 'Who do I have to sub in?' You're not talking to your coaches, you're not bitching about who didn't rebound who didn't screen. You're just watching the game and as you're watching the game, you almost start acting like a fan."

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Samajae Haynes-Jones scored 20 points and hit a jumper at the buzzer as Wichita State erased a 10-point deficit and beat Connecticut 65-63 on Thursday night.

UConn's Alterique Gilbert scored on back-to-back 3-pointers inside the final minute that tied the game at 63. Haynes-Jones took an inbounds pass with 6.4 seconds to go, dribbled the floor and sealed it with an off-balance shot from the corner.

Wichita State (14-13, 7-8 American Athletic Conference) rebounded from an 88-85 loss against Memphis on Saturday and has won two of its last three games. Coach Gregg Marshall also picked up his 300th career win with the Shockers. >> Read More

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - UConn vs. Wichita State

Feb 26 | 10:10PM

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Points in the Paint: UConn00:00:22

UConn outscored Wichita State, 28-16, in the paint on their way to a dominating 84-47 victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn outscored Wichita State 28-16 in the paint on their way to a dominating 84-47 victory, presented by Ring's End.

Watch the video above.

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UConn clinches sixth straight AAC regular season title with 84-47 victory over Wichita State

Auriemma misses second consecutive game with stomach bug

Feb 26 | 9:40PM

Napheesa Collier scored 32 points, making 13 of 15 shots, and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead No. 2 UConn to an 84-47 victory over Wichita State on Tuesday night.

The Huskies were missing coach Geno Auriemma for the second straight game because of a stomach virus. The Hall of Famer issued a statement saying he expects to be back on the sideline Saturday for the Huskies final home game of the season against Houston.

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - UConn vs. Tulsa

Feb 24 | 10:10PM

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Points in the Paint: UConn00:00:51

UConn outscored Tulsa early in the paint, which led them to another big victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn outscored Tulsa early in the paint, which led them to another big victory, presented by Ring's End.

Watch the video above.

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Megan Walker leads Geno Auriemma-less UConn to 68-49 win over Tulsa

Walker, Collier both record double-doubles

Feb 24 | 5:48PM

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UConn beats Tulsa, 68-4900:02:27

Megan Walker leads UConn to a 68-49 win over Tulsa on Sunday afternoon, as the Huskies played without coach Geno Auriemma.

Megan Walker scored 21 points and No. 3 UConn, playing without Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma, rolled to a 68-49 victory over Tulsa on Sunday.

Auriemma missed the game with an illness. He did not travel with the Huskies for the opener of a two-game trip, but hopes to return for Tuesday's game at Wichita State.

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UConn's late rally falls short as Huskies lose to Cincinnati 64-60

Huskies drop fifth straight game

Feb 24 | 4:49PM

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UConn lose to Cincinati, 64-6000:01:46

UConn's late rally falls short, as the Huskies fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats 64-60 on Sunday for their 5th straight loss.

Keith Williams scored 12 points and Cane Broom added 10, including a late 3-pointer that helped Cincinnati to a 64-60 road win over UConn on Sunday.

Justin Jennifer also had 10 points for the Bearcats, who have won 11 of their last 12 with the only loss during that stretch coming at No. 9 Houston, which leads Cincinnati (23-4, 12-2 American) by a game in the race for the AAC title.

Christian Vital had 14 points and Alterique Gilbert had 13 to lead UConn (13-14, 4-10).

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Geno Auriemma to miss UConn-Tulsa game due to illness

Chris Dailey to coach in Auriemma's absence

Feb 24 | 2:33PM

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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma (Matt Eisenberg)

UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma will miss Sunday's road game against Tulsa due to an illness, the school announced.

The Huskies are hopeful Auriemma can return for Tuesday's game against Wichita State. In his absence, associate head coach Chris Dailey will coach the team.

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UConn men fall at SMU, 77-59

Huskies on season-worst four-game losing streak

Feb 21 | 11:56PM

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UConn falls to Mustangs00:01:28

Without Jalen Adams UConn never looked like it found its rhythm against SMU as they were dominant in the paint, ultimately falling 77-59

DALLAS (AP) - Jahmal McMurray drove for three straight layups in a 12-2 run late in the first half, and SMU went on to beat UConn 77-59 on Thursday night.

The game was tied at 24 before the Mustangs regained the lead with 3-pointers by Nat Dixon and Isiaha Mike before McMurray began slicing through the UConn defense to build SMU's lead to 36-26 with 2:24 remaining.

McMurray led the Mustangs (13-12, 5-8 American Athletic Conference) with a game-high 25 points, 15 in the second half. Ethan Chargois and Mike scored 14 each, and Feron Hunt had 11.

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Olivia Nelson-Ododa emerging as a difference maker for UConn

Nelson-Odoba's presence 'can be a huge key for us'

By Daniel Connolly | Feb 21 | 9:26AM

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UConn freshman Olivia Nelson-Odoba congratulates teammates during a timeout in a game against South Carolina at XL Center. (Matt Eisenberg)

HARTFORD -- UConn is not the biggest women's basketball team in the country. Far from it, actually. Its de facto center, Napheesa Collier, is 6-foot-1. Stretch 4 Megan Walker is the same height. The Huskies' tallest starter is Katie Lou Samuelson at 6-foot-3, but she doesn't have the strength to be a prototypical post player.

It's certainly a big weakness, and if UConn hopes to claim its 12th national title this season, the Huskies might need some luck of the draw. Head coach Geno Auriemma admitted as much.

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Feb 20 | 11:24PM

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Nelson-Ododa Points in the Paint00:00:56

UConn's Olivia Nelson-Ododa with a beautiful finish against Memphis, finishing off a 102 - 45 victory. Presented by Ring's End.

UConn's Olivia Nelson-Ododa with a beautiful finish against Memphis, finishing off a 102 - 45 victory, presented by Ring's End.

Watch the video above.

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Katie Lou Samuelson drops 32 in UConn's 102-45 rout vs. Memphis

Collier had 22 points, while Dangerfield tallied 15 in the win

Feb 20 | 10:32PM

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UConn routs Memphis 102-4500:01:48

Katie Lou Samuelson went 7-8 in the first half and that's all the Huskies needed to easily roll past Memphis in their 102-45 win.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) There is not much UConn All-American Katie Lou Samuelson can't do, and that apparently that includes coaching the Huskies.

STORRS -- Plenty has been made over this year's UConn women's basketball team possibly not being weaker than some in the past. But one advantage this year's squad has over last season's? Health.

As the 2017-18 season wore on, more and more Huskies found themselves limited with injuries. Katie Lou Samuelson hurt her left ankle in the home opener, and played with the injury all year before having an operation in the offseason. Crystal Dangerfield dealt with shin splints for much of the second half of the season that frequently kept her out of practice. Migraine issues hampered Gabby Williams. Batouly Camara never seemed to recover from a preseason knee injury. Mikayla Coombs sat out the NCAA Tournament because of a pulmonary embolism.

It's a long list of injuries, one that looks even longer when compared to this season's bill of health.

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - Napheesa Collier

Feb 17 | 11:24PM

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Points in the Paint: Collier00:00:50

UConn's Napheesa Collier with a beautiful finish against UCF finishing off a 78 - 41 victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn's Napheesa Collier with a beautiful finish against UCF finishing off a 78 - 41 victory, presented by Ring's End.

If losing star guard JalenAdams for 4-6 weeks wasn't enough, head coach Dan Hurley has also been unable to deploy G AlteriqueGilbert, who missed his fifth game in a row in Thursday night's loss to No. 9-ranked Houston.

Gilbert has been out nearly three weeks now with a sore left shoulder that came after a collision during the Huskies' win over Wichita State on Jan. 26. And, of course, it had to be the same shoulder that Gilbert has had surgery on twice in his freshman and sophomore seasons at UConn.

So, naturally, that type of injury would cause a player -- along with coaches and staff -- to be extra careful about rushing back onto the court. And while Gilbert has been sitting stagnant on the pine, he had to watch Adams, who is a senior, go down when the team needed him most.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Houston guard DeJon Jarreau believes he's gotten his basketball career back on track and expects to be a factor as the Cougars make a run at a conference title and perhaps something bigger.

The sophomore transfer from Massachusetts had 18 points and seven assists to help No. 9 Houston beat UConn 71-63 on Thursday night for its ninth straight victory.

Armoni Brooks added 12 points for the Cougars (24-1, 11-1 American Athletic Conference). They opened the second half with a 17-4 run to take control.

Auriemma tells story of airport meeting with famed actor

Feb 12 | 10:57PM

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Geno inspired by Mickey Donovan?00:01:52

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma tells a story about how a quick conversation with Jon Voight at the Dulles airport had tremendous impact.

Worn out from all the chatter -- the "nonsense," as Geno Auriemma puts it -- surrounding his UConn women's basketball team, Auriemma says a random meeting with actor Jon Voight at Dulles airport gave Auriemma perspective.

Auriemma appreciated the brief, cordial exchange he had with the man who portrays Mickey Donovan on Showtime's "Ray Donovan," a chat that has Auriemma more upbeat with his 22-2 team entering the final stage of the regular season.

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Why freshman Christyn Williams is critical to UConn's success

After hitting 'freshman wall,' Williams figures to be key contributor down stretch

By Daniel Connolly | Feb 12 | 1:49PM

HARTFORD -- Christyn Williams looked like she was going to be different than most freshman. Not only did she step into a starting role with UConn women's basketball from day one, Williams thrived early in her career, scoring in double-figures in 10 of her first 14 games, including a breakout 28-point performance against Notre Dame. Williams seemed like she was going to be above the typical struggles that plague many of the Huskies' freshmen.

Then Williams ran head-first into the dreaded "freshman wall".

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Napheesa Collier scores 31 in UConn's 97-79 win over South Carolina

Huskies have won four straight since loss to Louisville

Feb 12 | 12:27AM

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(David Butler II )

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Napheesa Collier and UConn used a strong second half to turn their final nonconference game into a rout.

Collier had 31 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, and the fourth-ranked Huskies beat 11th-ranked South Carolina 97-79 on Monday night.

Katie Lou Samuelson added 29 points for the Huskies (22-2), who blew open a close game with a huge third quarter in which they outscored the Gamecocks 29-12. Samuelson scored 14 points in the game-changing period. Collier added eight as the two seniors continued to carry UConn.

UConn's late rally falls short

Feb 10 | 5:10PM

Kyvon Davenport scored 26 points, Tyler Harris and Jeremiah Martin added 12 each and Memphis held off a late push to defeat UConn 78-71 on Sunday.

Tyler Polley led the Huskies (13-11, 4-7 American Athletic Conference) with 20 points, while Sidney Wilson finished with 16. Christian Vital and Tarin Smith added 13 apiece for UConn, which lost its second straight and third in the last four.

The Huskies were playing their first game since leading-scorer Jalen Adams (17 points per game) suffered a left knee injury that will keep him out of action for 4-6 weeks.

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - UConn's Napheesa Collier

Feb 9 | 11:24PM

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Points in the Paint: Collier00:00:26

UConn's Napheesa Collier with a beautiful finish against Temple finishing off a 109 - 74 victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn's Napheesa Collier with a beautiful finish against Temple finishing off a 109 - 74 victory, presented by Ring's End.

Watch the video above.

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Napheesa Collier drops 30 in UConn's 109-74 victory over Temple

Dangerfield tallied 22, while Samuelson had 19

Feb 9 | 4:31PM

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Collier leads UConn blowout00:01:27

Napheesa Collier poured home 30 points as UConn eclipsed the 100-point mark for the second game in a row, beating Temple 109-74

Collier, who had 30 points in a win over the Owls last month, recorded her 12th double-double of the season and 36th of her career. She hit 12 of her 16 shots, dished out six assists and blocked three shots.

Crystal Dangerfield added 22 points and nine assists for UConn (21-2, 10-0 American), which tuned up for Monday's meeting with No. 12 South Carolina by shooting 63 percent and breaking the 100-point barrier for a second straight game. >> Read more

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UConn star Jalen Adams out 4-6 weeks with knee injury

Adams sprained MCL vs. Temple

By Daniel Connolly | Feb 8 | 11:41AM

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Connecticut Huskies guard Jalen Adams reacts after a break in the action against the UCF Knights in the second half at XL Center. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

UConn men's basketball star guard Jalen Adams will be out 4-6 weeks with a Grade-2+ MCL sprain, the school announced on Friday.

If Adams can recover in four weeks, that would mean he could return for the final week of the regular season. Should it take six weeks, he wouldn't be back until after the American Athletic Conference tournament.

Adams injured the knee in Tuesday's loss to Temple when an opposing player dove into his left leg chasing a loose ball. Adams needed to be helped off the court.

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UConn women dominate with complete team effort vs. ECU

All five starters finish in double figures

By Daniel Connolly | Feb 7 | 11:54AM

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Despite falling to its lowest ranking the AP Poll since 2007 this week, the No. 5 UConn women's basketball team insisted ahead of its game vs. the East Carolina Pirates that it didn't look or care about its ranking. But Wednesday night at XL Center, the Huskies played like they had something to prove.

UConn reached triple digits for the first time this season, smoking ECU 118-55, thanks to a total effort from its squad and Katie Lou Samuelson's game-high 31 points.

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - Katie Lou Samuelson

Feb 6 | 11:24PM

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Points in the Paint: Samuelson00:00:30

UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson with a beautiful finish against ECU on February 6th topping off a 118 - 55 victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn men's basketball fell to Temple 81-63 on Wednesday night, but the Huskies may have gotten an even bigger loss when senior guard Jalen Adams left the game with a knee injury, later diagnosed to be a sprained MCL. He will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury.

The knock happened when Temple's J.P. Moorman dove into Adams' left leg going after a loose ball. Adams needed to be helped off the floor and did not return.

With only a month left in the regular season, Adams will likely miss much of the remaining schedule since even mild MCL sprains take weeks to heal. From there, UConn will need to hope he can return before the start of the AAC Tournament on March 14.